The Colorado Avalanche used their third pick of the 2019 NHL Draft, #47, to select defenseman Drew Helleson.
The Colorado Avalanche have used their second-round pick, #47, to select defenseman Drew Helleson.
Helleson spent the last season first with the USNTDP Juniors then Under18 team. In that time, he recorded 34 points (9 goals, 25 assists) in 92 games.
Helleson is committed to playing at Boston College next season.
Drew Helleson Scouting
2018-19 Team:U.S. National U18 Team (USDP)
Date of Birth: Mar 26, 2001 (18 years old)
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 194 lbs.
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Right
Ranked #63 by THE ATHLETIC
Ranked #29 by HOCKEYPROSPECT.COM
Ranked #53 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Ranked #62 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #46 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #47 by TSN/McKenzie
According to Elite Prospects, Drew Helleson is a “capable defensive defenseman” with a high level of compete and good hockey sense. The site consideres that he’s a good skater and “decent puck handler,” adding that the defenseman “rarely makes mistakes.”
Skating is definitely a hallmark of his game. Sports Network remarked that he had to develop his skating to be able to keep up in the talented USDP team they iced the last couple years. They added that he plays a simple game and was a capable anchor on the back end of the national team.
Steve Kournianos of The Draft Analyst adds the following about Helleson:
"“A clean and clever two-way defenseman who can skate himself out of a jam in any zone at any point in the game. Helleson is the most reliable puck manager on a very talented NTDP blue line and is capable of maintaining control while being tightly checked or double teamed.”"
He continues that Helleson is an “unselfish rearguard” who involves himself in the play as much as possible. Kourinianos considers Drew to be a “strong one-on-one defender with quick closing speed and an active stick.”
A little Drew Helleson action:
A smooth regroup from the 🇺🇸U18 defense and zone entry from Sean Farrell set up the 2nd #USANTDP goal. Farrell drops to Cole Caufield and he makes a pair of moves before finding a streaking Drew Helleson above the circles. pic.twitter.com/yp3s3HkrpY
— Stars n’ Stripes Hockey (@StarsStripesHKY) September 23, 2018
Some extra information:
Great vision.
— USA Hockey’s NTDP (@USAHockeyNTDP) June 22, 2019
Fluid skating.
Top-notch defending. @drew_helleson21 is the newest member of the @Avalanche!#NHLDraft | #NTDP pic.twitter.com/ABHo85CCa5
Future of Drew Helleson and the Colorado Avalanche
Here’s where we’re starting to see the Colorado Avalanche accept development projects. The team wants players with speed, skill, and hockey sense. Drew Helleson is known as being speedy. The hockey sense is also pretty much there.
It’s his skill that Drew will work on at Boston College. Sports Network remarked that he’ll especially develop his defensive skill.
I wanted to see Colorado pick up some size in this draft as well. Drew Helleson definitely has that. I also like the idea of eventually having a good stay-at-home defenseman for the future. Helleson is at least a couple years out, maybe three. Ian Cole will have moved on by then.
Drew Helleson is expected to make his debut in Avs Nation at the Colorado Avalanche’s Prospect Development Camp next week.